Farmers Market, Star Party and Molson Parade in three parts

Saturday, July 26, 2014

PART 1

 

All this for Susan's birthday?

We had so many adventures on this day, I have to make three entries so not to include too many photos in one.

Taking a short bike ride around the campground, Susan found her own celebration. A group comes here every year to share birthday time with one being on 7/25 and one on 7/27, and Susan filled in the blank for 7/26. So they feted her with wishes.

All this and a miniature bottle of rum drink!

OK, so... on with the story.

We "broke camp" at last night's stay in the parking lot and headed out for breakfast at Eva's diner and bakery. By the time we finished our breakfast we were in time for a visit to the Farmers Market and a peek around town.

The biggest cherries we have ever seen -- but not as tasty as ours at home

 

Colorful handcrafted sandals

In addition to jam purchases, Susan get tips on rivers for fly fishing

In the alley down the street was a great mural, but had some detracters interfereing -- light post, trash can, lumber. But still, I found it interesting.

I like murals, and this one is no exception

This is a mural also

Now we took to an out of town drive and exploration.

 

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Mudslide, Forest Fire and two Biscuits

Friday June 25, 2014

Family reunion (actually Don's family which we have graciously been invited to) is for a week at Lake Osoyoos in Oroville, WA near the Canada border. We would drive there a couple of days early, just because.

Our first obstacle was to determine how to get to eastern Washington. The wild fire had routes 2 and 20 closed or with long detours. At last, the day before we were to leave, Highway 20 opened up. On our way we drove through Oso wich is in the midst of cleaning up and road reconstruction from the recent mudslide. We did not stop, so getting a photo was difficult to near impossible.

Oso mudslide

My one attempt at a photo does not nearly show the vastness of that disaster, nor tell the story of those who lost homes or lives. It was sad to think of how those who lived here suffered those losses, and trying to envision a town of houses and activity added to that sadness.

We made a quick stop in Newhalem and that is where we "met" the first biscuit. The little girl was riding her bike, apparently to football practice, and her little dog kept barking after her (and apparently at us). She kept yelling for "Biscuit" to stop and go home, but s/he would not. The girl turned around and rode all the way back to quiet Biscuit and put him/her in the house.

 

We have a fully loaded van with toys for the week. Plus we have the bed set up inside for camping, and of course --- fishing gear.

Loaded for play

 

Though we have been to Diablo Lake quite a few times, I needed to share a photo for the blog.

Beautiful Diablo Lake

We drove through Winthrop and checked out the place we will be staying after the reunion. Then we made a quick visit to the Hostel where we stayed last year. We chatted with the owner (cannot recall his name), said hello to our second "Biscuit" and took a little tour of the improvements they are making around the place. We remember Biscuit as being a sweet Labrador.

Driving through the second disaster was no less sad than Oso, and there are still some smoldering spots and newly burned trees. It was amazing to see a couple of intact houses standing in the middle of what appeared to be burned out areas within feet of them. Some homes were not so lucky, and once again an area of people and life activity has been litterally snuffed out.

We felt a twinge of guilt driving with all our oppulence through these destroyed and devastated towns and homesites. But I suppose that is simply how it is. Life continues.

Forest of burning trees

Arriving in Oroville in the early evening found us homeless. Campground full, no vacancy at the motel, and no other campgrounds nearby. Next best thing -- we "camped" in the Prince store parking lot next to a couple of other "campers". Much like Walmart Camping.

Spotty connection this morning is making it difficult to download and upload photos. Next post may not happen right away until I get better wifi connection.

 

 

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A parade and a play

July 4, 2014

Susan agreed to a bike ride this morning, so we saddled up (Susan, needless to say, loaded all the emergency essentials) and we headed out. We would first make our way to the condo for a miscellaneous chore, then meander to O'Grady's at Sleeping Lady for lunch. We stopped at the tree overloaded with cherries.

Juicy, ripe cherries

As we cycled out of town, and were passing by the bike shop (Rad Haus) there was a parade forming.

Gearing up and decorating for the parade

A Parade for the 4th of July -- let's join in!

The kids were having so much fun

 

Line up -- almost ready to start

We got a few streamers from the decorating box and joined the kidsfest bike parade -- just because.

Parade ended at the gazebo in town where there were lots of games and booths set up

 

I wore the streamers for the whole day and got lots of smiles and waves

Our regular route through Sleeping Lady resort gave us level, paved trails to enjoy, and a few sights to ogle.

Sculpted into the rock

 

The chipmunk posed for us and stayed with us for a visit

 

Close up

 

Stopped at the interesting gazebo at the organic garden

 

Fishermen beware warning?

We enjoyed lunch and a bit of shopping (we each bought a sun hat) at O'Grady's before heading home. Once home we relaxed and gathered energy for staying awake for the evening play (we are such early to bed people!).

The outdoor theatre is half a mile from the house, so we could walk up and avoid the traffic. Susan carries our gear!

Photos are not allowed during the play, so I got a few beforehand. Many of the cast members serve as ushers to show you to your seat. We had Sister Mary Hilda show us to our perfect middle aisle seats just five rows up from the stage.

Sister Mary Welcoming

They look like "real" nuns

One of the Von Trapp "daughters"

The butler

Tonight was the 300th performane for Mother Abbess (on the right)

The performers were fantastic, the music was wonderful -- I spent the next few hours humming the songs -- and the evening was perfect.

A different, memorable and fun July 4th.

 

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A calm and relaxing day

July 3, 2014

After breakfast we joined Mary on her morning dog walking trek. There is a myriad of trails at Ski Hill, used for hiking and mountain biking at this time of year, and for cross country skiing in snow season. As well, there is downhill skiing with rope tows to get you to the top of the slopes. Also, there are ski jumps, the smaller of which Mary has had thoughts she would do one year -- which year is yet to be determined, and the dream, she says, becomes dimmer with time ;'-)

Sisters at the start of our walk

Discussing sisterly things

Mary tells me to be sure that she empties her pockets before I take her photo, especially from behind!

 

We reached the ski hills and the entrance to the venue for "Sound of Music", and Susan gave us a rendition of dancing with the hills that are alive with music.

Not the actual stage or setting, but we are in the hills. Julie Andrews has nothing over Susan.

Swing time overlooking the ski slopes.

I am thrilled that Susan got tickets for the show for Friday night (the 4th). I have been wanting to go to this for years of coming here, and finally we will. It is opening night and they have plenty of available tickets.

 

We wandered home and decided to go into town for a bit. I biked to meet Susan at Mary's condo (about 2.5 miles away!). Susan had to hit her normal haunts (outdoor stores) to be sure she does not miss a potential sale of something. After relaxing (some more) and reading, it was time to head back for our planned dinner outing. We took Mary and Phil to dinner in Cashmere to a place we had discovered on a bike trip while here years ago. It has different owners and a different name, but remains a great place for a steak!

Riding back to the house I couldn't resist this sign

There was "discussion" of whether having "share the road" signs are necessary or helpful. Shouldn't it be natural and a no brainer to share the road with other vehicles and pedestrians, and for those who do not naturally do it, do these signs actually do anythng to change that behavior? I guess my place in this debate is that the signs serve as a reminder for some and news for others that there are these modes of transportation on these particular roads, and to be aware of those that may not be in clear sight. Kind of a wake up and look around you rather than blissfully thinking the road is yours alone as a car driver. There are more and more cars and more and more cyclists and other users on the road than there were years ago when time and speed were slower and more relaxed. So I like the signs being there.

Once home, Susan and Phil tried some kite flying.

Susan gets the kite in the air.

Thus ended another fine day of shared time and activity as well as relaxation and quiet time.

 

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Biking (more like climbing) and fishing (more like catching)

July 2, 2014

I thought it would be good to have a photo for the blog of the City sign, with its special lettering. As I was stopped and taking this photo a woman who was on her morning jog appoached. She slowed way down and said "I must ask -- why are you taking a picture of a garbage can?". So here we are with a photo of a City of Leavenworth garbage can. It's the lettering I wanted ;'-). And throughout my ride it was the only can that I saw with this lettering. Must be a communtiy thing.

 

Susan loves fishing over here because she "catches". She and Mary drove up the Icycle (I prefer this as a spelling rather than the real Icicle) Road for a hiking and fishing outing. Mary would rather do the kind of fishing that results in catching bigger fish -- the size that makes a good dinner. Susan is happy to simply catch -- and she got five on this outing -- no matter the size, as she releases once caught. She likes the sport. They were out all day and had a good time and Mary had a "fish on" at least once! They enjoyed the four mile hike as they made their way around the loop, fishing as they went.

I, of course, went for a bike ride. UP the Icycle Road.

Starting from the house, it is a pleasant ride on quiet roads, skirts dowtown and leads to the back road taking me to the fish hatchery and to Icycle. This first 5 or so miles are rather flat, or at the most, slightly rolling.

 

A country scene along the way

 

Old farm machinery never dies, it becomes a hanger for mail boxes

I took a side spur that did not indicate a dead end, but the huge sign at the end of the road PRIVATE PROPERTY KEEP OUT NO TRESPASSING THIS MEANS EVERYBODY stopped me at an overlook at the river before retracing to the main road.

This scene could be right out of Huckleberry Finn

 

SUPs on the flowing river. A new breed of Huckleberry Finns

I wandered through the Hatchery but saw no fish. There are outdoor performances at the stage here in the summer months. Susan and I once tried to go to one, but they were sold out. Perhaps we will make it someday.

 

Theatre seating. I assume you bring your own chair

The stage for current play (I don't know what that is)

The "fun" part was now over. Once I rounded past Sleeping Lady Resort, the climbing would soon begin. The first mile or so was a teaser with fairlly flat terrain and some views worth stopping for.

See the raging river on the left side

 

More of the raging river

 

Raging river raging DOWNhill. Let this be a clue

I had a brief snack here, then once mounted I would not stop until the end. I feared that if I stopped I would not get back on to keep heading UP. Ten miles of 1400 feet elevation gain, 96 degree heat, and add chipseal road surface. Gruelling. At every bend in the road I thought perhaps the sign would be there telling me the paved road was ended. Then at the next bend I would think, if this is not it, maybe I will turn around and head back. Then I started my mantra learned from my friend Dan Urich --- "pain is weakness leaving the body". This got me several miles more. Then it was "why am I doing this???". But I could not give up the challenge. I had to finish to the end.

AND THEN...

I threw up my arms in HALLELUJAH

I made it! I (almost) threw down my bike and found a big rock to sit and have the last bits of my snacks and contemplate the completion of my self-imposed challenge, as well as the fact that my water was low -- and tepid by this point. From the dirt road -- heading down the hill -- a jeep stopped and the guy rolled down the window yelling "can I offer you a cold water?". HUH?! OH YEAH! Nice guy from Kirkland said he was impressed that I (all lone) made it up this road, and that he was getting tired just looking at me.

I was indeed monstrously slow up this "mountain" as, although I did not exactly time it, it took me a little more than two hours to make those 10 miles! At one of the steepest grades my odometer showed 2.7!!! As one might conclude, it was a grand downhill run back to Sleeping Lady where I stopped for a cold drink, some food and more ice water. I could not freewheel down with abandon becuase of potholes that could potentially fling me from the saddle. I did cautious freewheeling with my eye on the road to avoid such catastrophe and that was fast enough. Remember the two hours to get to the top? Getting back down was about 45 minutes.

Once home, cooled down, showered and rested, I felt the glow of accomplishment. Susan, Mary and I shared our stories of the day and each of us had our joys. It was a grand day.

 

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